Model secondary schools embrace digital education
THE Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport has initiated a campaign to elevate the standard of model schools by implementing digital education for students in selected secondary schools in Phnom Penh. The initiative aims to enhance student achievement and is set to expand across the country.
The campaign was launched at Hun Sen Borey 100 Khnang High School on February 21, in an event presided over by ministry secretary of state Oum Romney. Also in attendance were representatives of the ministry’s Centre for Digital and Distance Education (CDDE).
The ministry stated that the programme aims to broaden opportunities for enhancing student learning outcomes. This involves providing digital resources for comprehensive learning, enabling students to learn independently, collaboratively and at their own pace.
“This campaign advocates for implementing cutting-edge educational approaches to enhance instruction both at home and through collaboration. It ensures teachers have sufficient time for effective teaching while providing targeted support, particularly for slower learners. This is facilitated through robust student support mechanisms, including learning clubs and accelerated learning programmes,” the ministry stated in a February 21 update to its official Facebook page.
Ministry spokesperson Khuon Vicheka said on February 21 that the ministry has established a “Model School Standard” comprising five key areas: academic outcomes, teaching and learning, community involvement, school operations and school accountability.
She said that to enhance students’ learning outcomes and teachers’ methods in secondary schools, the ministry has started an initiative to promote the standards via digital education for secondary students. This project employs practice-based and constructivism instructional approaches, encouraging students to build upon existing knowledge to better understand and apply new concepts.
“Therefore, the introduction of digital learning systems is part of achieving the model school standards that the ministry has implemented nationwide to improve education,” she added.
She said that the campaign will commence initially in the capital before expanding to high schools in the provinces. Schools participating in this initiative will provide training to both students and teachers in backto-back and constructivism theory. These methods aim to foster students’ independent study skills and familiarise them with using digital systems to preview lesson materials.
Kong Somneang, head of the Federation of Education Services in Cambodia, said the ministry has prioritised online education to empower students to independently access study materials and review content at their own pace.
“Improving the standards of digital model schools greatly benefits students by enabling them to easily access relevant learning resources. Simultaneously, the ministry’s efforts to establish a digital education system and transition teachers into digital educators are crucial steps in enhancing educational delivery,” he said.
“If, however, a school has implemented online education but lacks understanding of the digital system among its leaders and staff, it hinders the ability to effectively respond to students’ needs, provide support or assist them in accessing materials for self-study,” Somneang added.